Research Advancement Specialist II

Type of Position: Sponsored Program Administration. Closing Date: 09/02/2026. Institution: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

About the role

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations. The campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S.

The Research Advancement Specialist supports the College of Education and Health Professions' Office of Research and Grant Administration by providing primarily pre-award support to faculty and staff, including identifying funding opportunities, coordinating proposal development, preparing budgets, and facilitating proposal submissions. The position provides high-quality customer service throughout the proposal development process while contributing to research office initiatives, faculty development activities, and continuous process improvement to strengthen research administration services and enhance success in securing external funding.

Responsibilities

• Assist department faculty and outreach unit staff principal investigators (PIs) in identifying external funding opportunities and submitting competitive proposals.
• Provide leadership in coordinating and reviewing all proposal elements (e.g., narratives, budgets, biosketches, and facilities) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness, including large and complex awards for soft-funded centers and outreach units.
• Interface effectively with other college and university units (e.g., Office of Sponsored Programs, Division of Research and Innovation) to develop complete, accurate, and competitive proposals.
• Ensure that proposals are correctly entered into electronic research administration system and sponsor portals.
• Route proposals for institutional approvals in a timely manner and in compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, including the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• At least two or more years of experience in research administration, grant administration, proposal development, sponsored programs, financial administration, and/or a related field.
• At least two or more years of experience interpreting state, federal, foundation, industry, and/or other private sponsor policies and procedures; coordinating multiple priorities; reviewing and editing technical, academic, and/or sponsored project documents; and providing high-quality customer service.

Qualifications

• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education.
  • At least one or more years in a position working in higher education.
  • At least three or more years of experience in pre-award research administration, including preparing grant proposals, developing proposal budgets, coordinating proposal submissions to federal, state, foundation, industry, and/or other private sponsors, with experience supporting workforce development and/or training grant proposals.
  • Experience working with state, federal, foundation, industry, and/or other private sponsors.
  • Experience in proposal development and/or writing.
  • Certified Research Administrator certificate.
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):
  • Ability to develop proposal budgets.
  • Ability to interpret sponsor guidelines.
  • Ability to identify potential funding opportunities.
  • Ability to build collaborative relationships.

Additional Information

This position is a Designated Research Position and is regulated by the Arkansas Research Education Protection Act of 2025. Prior to issuance of an offer of employment, the University is required to request and obtain additional information about an applicant’s background and, if required, conduct an additional review of that background information.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements: Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry.

Constant Physical Activity: Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, sitting.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance.
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families.
• 12 official holidays.
• Immediate leave accrual.
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Pay

$61,735 (commensurate with education and experience).